Boulder County Flood Quilt to be Diplayed at County Courthouse

            This quilt is a very special one indeed.  It a collaborative effort by many people to remember the flood that devastated Boulder and surrounding mountain communities last year.  As I told the Longmont  Times Call photographer that came to visit my studio:  Everyone has their own flood story, this quilt helps to tell some of those stories.  In the weeks following the flood, the people of our community really came together to help one another.  Much like how this quilt was created.
     A call for blocks was put out earlier in the year.  Sadly, I missed the deadline.  Just two days after the deadline though, I received an email wondering if I might be interested in quilting this magnificent piece.  I leaped at the opportunity!  I so wanted to be a part of the project and am so happy they choose me.  I tried to enhance and honor the blocks without adding to much.  The sashing and borders however were my playground.  In the sashing, I quilted jumbles of pebbles and flowing rivers everywhere.  In the darker brown borders, I did some flowing blue columbines.  It is now off in the hands of the volunteer that will bind it.
     Once finished, this quilt be on display at the Boulder County Courthouse for all to view.  I think the installation is to be a permanent one as well.  The plan is to hang it in time for the 1st anniversary on September 11th.          

Boulder County Flood Quilt

Moments at Mountainjoy

 It has been a busy month.  The weather has been unusually wet and raining causing the rivers to flow and the flowers to grow.  The moose have been visiting on their annual tour.  The two picture here are bull moose, one we nicknamed Mickey because his growing rack looked just like Mickey Mouse ears one day.  Therefore, "Mickey the Moose" he became. 

 

We have had tragedy in the community.  Too many recent deaths, but truly saddest was the loss of young Sophia Dubose.  She was taken by the raging river in Boulder Canyon one day.  The community had a benefit for her family and the tree quilt was my contribution to the silent auction.  I found out later that friends of mine who were very dear to Sophia as well purchased this quilt. It all makes me very happy when my quilts go to great people.

Speaking of happy, I was delighted with the way the Mariner's Compass came out.  I put a lot of planning into the quilt designs and it really paid off.  If this quilt gets to grace the walls somewhere in the Supreme Court as planned, I will definitely let you all know.

I have been doing a lot of spinning lately.  It is hobby I pick up on annually, but the bug really got me this year.  It's all I want to do.  I make deals with myself - so much quilting then so much spinning.  I am also quite pleased with my new position as Fiber Director at Mountain Flower Goat Dairy.  Along with all my other day jobs, I get to turn kids on to fiber at a 3 day camp this summer!

Quilted Wallhangings and Wildlife

 I have been long-arming so many quilts and having escapades and computer/social adventures, that I have neglected this blog site  sorely.  My apologies.
I will try to earn your love again by sharing all that I can. 

Macaw for Client

I have been growing in so many directions lately:  personally, creatively, and educationally.  I have been quilting for clients and sometimes finding the time to quilt from my creative streak.  The Macaw is a wonderful example of what long arm quilting can do to lend form to a piece.  It was a very abstract top when my client gave it to me.  I studied photos of Macaws (via Pinterest and Google) for several days.  I have been discovering that taking the extra planning time really does make a better quilt.  I have even taken to marking quilt tops!

Quilts for Paws Project:  Merlin

  The Quilts for Paws project is a slow success.  I have not had an outrageous demand, but I have managed to get Shadow his surgery.  He is the happiest he has ever been in life.  It is quite nice to see.  I will continue this project as I do believe it is a good cause.  I did not begin is it just to help my animal and I would still like to help other animals get the veterinary care they need.
  Spring has finally come the Rockies.  We have had lots of rain so everything is really green and gorgeous.  This particular moose has been roaming the neighborhood.  We named him Mickey because his antlers kind of look like Mickey Mouse ears in the this photo. 

Mickey the Moose

Some of my focus lately has been developing my other social media sites.  It has become quite a long list actually.  Let's see, www.mountainjoyquiltndye.Etsy.com and this blog were my first social sites.  Now, I have added:  www.mountainjoyquilts.com, www.facebook.com/mountainjoyquilts,
I am so addicted to my Pinterest for great inspirations and a place to share my work,
a not so active linked in profile,
and personal FB   --Whehh! It takes 2 cups of coffee in the mornings just to check them all for comments.  I love getting comments! 
I promise to write and share more often again!  Keep quilting and creating!

New Year, New Makings

Getting through the holidays was a little tough this year.  My December was looking quite open when a friend of mine had a bad fall due to vertigo and broke her arm.  I was happy I had so much free time, because my friend had many projects going on.  I was able to help her finish a few of them.  I helped my friend create a true St. Nicholas costume in red velvety stuff that was so heavy, I couldn't imagine how her husband was going to preach in the 2 capes, stole, and miter.  He looked fabulous!

This quilt top was about halfway through being pieced when I jumped in.  I finished piecing the top, and then pieced a very intricate back.  Not sure why, that's just what happens over coffee designing sometimes.  I quilted it and even bound it for my friend.  She thought she could manage that, but I knew it would be an odd angle to hold her arm at, so I just did it.  The recipient was quite pleased of course.
It was so great to be focused on other people and helping during the holidays.  The true gift is in the giving.  

Joys and Trials of Social Media

Hi Everybody! 
I have been having difficulty gaining access to this blog account when I have felt the urge to write lately.  I made it through today though!  It has been a busy fall here in Colorado.  The flood was not a good time for anyone I know.  There has been a lot of clean up and things are getting back to normal.  That's the great thing about us resourceful mountain folk.

 If you look back through my posts, you might find the Empress Ohashi quilt that I did for a client last winter.  She was being stored in a closet waiting to see if she was going to MQX West when disaster struck.  I found out the closet was leaking with all the rain and the original red interlocking design in these center corners was bleeding into the beige!!!!!  After many deep breaths, I realized that I made the quilt, I could fix the quilt.  I ripped out the offending, bleeding red fabrics and came up with this new design to cover all the damaged areas.  It was a good deal of work getting her ready and off to the show.  It is so much fun to have a quilt in a show that your parents went to see!

                                                                                  

Empress Ohashi's new corner treatment

Now that the Thanksgiving feasting is done (I will never be finished being thankful), I can focus on getting through the next holiday.  I have the Quilts for Paws program, several quilts and my wonderful truffles up for sale at www.mountainjoyquiltndye.etsy.com.  Time to think of gifts of folks that I love.  I will share all the photos of the Christmas gift quilts, both clients and personal, after the holidays.  I hate ruining surprises. 
Until next time, keep quilting and creating!

Claws for Paws * A Fundraising Project

I have had a busy summer with some travels, some floods, and some quilts of course.  I have begun a new project.  It is called Claws for Paws.  This project will help animals everywhere, starting with my little Shadow and then continuing with funding animal care on a local and national levels.
This began because of my cat, Shadow's need for a non-life threatening operation.  We already got him through the life threatening stage, but now he is in pain sometimes.  The operation will make it so he is pain free and back to his normal litter-box using self.  He is quite happy and social since his near death experience.  My vet is willing to perform a multi-thousand dollar operation for cost.  He does this because he loves animals and understands that sometimes animal owners are down on their luck, but never their love.  I am not the only one in this boat.  Therefore, I came up with this idea.
The quilted pet portraits are as unique as your own animals.  You see, I begin with an actual photograph of your pet.  The photo is transferred to fabric and then given borders to make it look like a framed portrait.  Then, quilting/thread-play adds all the dimension, life, and character of your best friend. I can do single animals, best buddies, or whole herds.  The animals don't have to be furry to friendly in my program either.  I will do cats, dogs, iguanas, llamas, fish, you get the idea. 
At first, 100% of the funding will go to Shadow's surgery.  Eleven quilt orders will get Shadow his operation.  Once Shadow has his surgery, 50% of the profits will continue to go to animal care funding.  It will be split up with my local Veterinarian getting 25% and the remaining 25% will be donated to other foundations such as PetAid Colorado or the Humane Society. 
This 13" x 15" quilted portrait costs $75.00.  You can email me at rebeccah@mountainjoyquilts.com or visit my shop at www.mountainjoyquiltndye.etsy.com to order your portrait.
 I will be keeping track of funds donated and names of ours friendly supporters on my website page dedicated to the Quilts for Paws project on my website www.mountainjoyquilts.com.  I know we can help animals get the care they need.  Please help me spread the word and thank you for your support.

June Already?

Please Note:  I have not done any linking within my text in quite a while.  As I preview this, I notice links come up everywhere in my post, including old text.  My computer has been embedded with "trusted offer surveys" left and right.  My apologies for this and I suggest not clicking on any of the links.
So, about my life:
I have been addicted to Facebook and Pinterest recently.  Fun stuff.  I have also been doing a lot of work both in the home studio and at Long's Gardens.  My dogs are happy that I get to be home more now that Open Season at the Gardens is over.
I have been playing with Zentangles for a few months now and have started creating pieces like the one pictured here.  My new style of quilts are done on silk with very fine threads and a lot of doodling.  Ohhhhhhhhhh, I really like where I'm going with this. I can't wait to do more.
I have also been attending some local quilt guilds and meeting new people with the same passions about quilting.
My mother in law has been hankering for pictures of her grand-dogs.  So, here are a few.  Gwynnie loves sitting on this windowsill.  I have tried to break her of the habit, but to no success.  She has the best, most comfy view in the house.  She and I have been putting oil of coconut in our hair every few weeks.  She tries to eat it before I can get it on her.  It is quite entertaining.  She also loves taking naps with her best buddies Bogie (dog) and Loki (cat known as Big Dog).